Children

Children are fun to photograph most of the time. They are at their best when not posing. However people want to have all the family in the group photos. Frequently the two year old is unhappy with this situation. First, it is important for a parent to hold the child preferrably on their hip so they are facing forward. Then you need some techniques for directing their attention toward the camera. Other family members, not in the shot, can help. Have favorite Aunt Cathy or Uncle Doug stand right next to you and talk to the child. They can call out the childs name. Or go up to them like they are going to tickle them and them move back quickly while you catch that giggle. You only need a couple of seconds. Make sure you tell everyone else to keep looking at the camera  The tendency is for the group to look at the child. However, if the child starts to cry or is not going to cooperate go on to another shot without the child. Then when they settle down you can try again.

Albums

You've hire a professional photographer, have hundreds of images to look at, now what? Frequently couples have not considered what they will do with all the beautiful photos they have of their wedding. They are either on a proof sheet or a proof CD of perhaps your photographer gave you permission to print copies. But this leaves you with a bunch of photographs that you need to organize, sort or do something with. It's a lot of work. Albums are wonderful keepsakes of your wedding memories. However a classy album needs some experience to create. Talk to your photographer before the wedding to see samples of what they can create. Albums vary in price depending on the size, type of paper and covers. However they are something that will be looked at again and again and be passed down in the family. So even though they are a bit expensive consisder them as an investment for the future.

 

The Bride Room

Many brides want photographs of them getting into their fabulous gown. Frequently this is a good time to get photos with her and her attendence and her parents. However most bride rooms are a mass of boxes and shoes and paper and clothes. Keep the mess to one part of the room so those pre bride photos are as lovely as the rest of the photos

Gum

Yes, that is a cigar in her mouth. Everyone was fooling around at the reception. But I use this as an example of how the mouth can be distorted by what it has in it. When people chew gum, even if they store in in their cheek it distorts the face. During the portraits after the ceremony make sure all gum is gone. It can be dissappointing if a great photo is ruined by one person whose mouth looks goofy from gum

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Make up

Look how soft and creamy the skin of this beautiful woman looks. Yes, she is just naturally lovely but I have done nothing in photoshop to her skin. I did not need to because she is wearing the correct make up. Perhaps you have seen photos where the womens noses and foreheads look like bright lights. This is because they are wearing a liquid oil based foundation and the flash from the camera is reflecting off the oil. There is special make up especailly for photography that will resist shin even is you perspire. Be sure your make up artist uses this type of make up or purchase a powder based make up if you are doing it your self. Have the mothers and attendents use the same foundation and everyone will have great looking skin in the photos.

Tips for Wedding Photography

The following blog will be a series of tips that you can read and share with family and friends. These are things you can do which will create great photographs. Read on and see what I mean.

San Antonio Wedding

I just wanted to add this beautiful photo of a wedding I did in San Antonio TX. It was such fun. Everyone piled into boats on the river walk and took a 20 minute ride. All along the way people waved and cheered the new couple. What a delight.

Meeting your Photogarpher

Do you realize that you will be spending the entire day with your photographer? All the other vendors are behind the scenes but the photographer is there all the time getting those photos. In a sense they will be your friend for the day. So it's really a good idea to meet with them beforehand. Sometimes people will hire someone with only a phone call. What if they show up dirty and in a t- shirt. Yes that does happen. The videographer for a wedding I did once had a skull on his shirt and he looked like he just crawled out of bed. So best to have a meeting to make sure they are who you want in your wedding.